The Junk Shop

I have not yet read the book this is based on and therefore do not know exactly how well Juraj Herz managed to translate Bohumil Hrabal's text into the film version. However, I must state that thanks to Herz's distinctive directing style, it is a unique cinematic delicacy in black and white with interesting characters and a peculiar atmosphere. The casting is excellent, with the director selecting non-actors to represent a certain type of human, and Herz did an excellent job at that. In some cases, he uses a certain exaggeration, but it doesn't bother me at all. It is raw and impactful. A waste collection center as the final station of human memories, destinies, and artistic artifacts. Overall impression: 85%. (20.01.2009)